Tinyana 99 · תנינא צ״ט

Rebbe Nachman said: The essence of perfected hitbodedut -conversation with one’s Maker is when a person speaks to God so extensively that his soul is close to departing, God forbid; until he just about expires, God forbid; until, because of the intensity of his genuine pain and longing and yearning for God, his soul is tied to his body by no more than a thread.

This is clarified in the teachings of our Sages, of blessed memory, who said: A person’s prayer is not accepted unless he puts his life in his hands (Taanit 8a), as mentioned above.

And the Rebbe said: Indeed, when God assists one’s hitbodedut, hitbodedut is like a conversation between friends.